Pouch

ABSTRACT

A pouch includes a packaging bag and a spout configured to dispense contents from the packaging bag. Left side seal portions include a first side gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in a height direction, right side seal portions include a second side gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in the height direction, left back top seal portions include a first posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending rearward, right back top seal portions include a second posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending rearward, the first posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with an upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion, and the second posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with an upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-146842, filed Sep. 9, 2021, entitled “Pouch,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a pouch.

BACKGROUND ART

A pouch having self-standing characteristics is known. For example, JP 2015-9847 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a pouch including a first side-surface film, a second side-surface film, a bottom film, and a dispensing portion. A storage portion is formed by joining peripheral portions of the films that come into contact with one another. A gas enclosing portion having an elongated shape in a vertical direction is formed in a side edge portion of the pouch. The gas enclosing portion increases rigidity of the side edge portion, thus ensuring the self-standing characteristics of the pouch.

On the other hand, JP 2021-4095 A (Patent Document 2) discloses a configuration in which a spout is provided on a top surface of a container made of resin.

CITATION LIST

-   Patent Document 1: JP 2015-9847 A; Patent Document 2: JP 2021-4095     A.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

When a configuration is adopted in which the spout is fixed to the top surface of the pouch, the pouch needs to be significantly tilted while holding the pouch when dispensing the contents, requiring an increase in the rigidity of the pouch.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pouch having a configuration that can increase rigidity of the pouch when a spout is provided on a top sheet of the pouch.

Solution to Problem

A pouch based on the present disclosure has the following configuration. The pouch includes a packaging bag including a front sheet, a back sheet, and a top sheet and configured to accommodate contents, and a spout fixed to the top sheet and configured to dispense the contents from the packaging bag.

The packaging bag includes a left side seal portion and a right side seal portion formed by joining end portions of the front sheet and end portions of the back sheet in a width direction, each having an elongated shape in a height direction; an anterior front top seal portion, a left front top seal portion, and a right front top seal portion formed by joining the front sheet and the top sheet; and a posterior back top seal portion, a left back top seal portion, and a right back top seal portion formed by joining the back sheet and the top sheet.

The left side seal portion includes a first side gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in the height direction, the right side seal portion includes a second side gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in the height direction, the left back top seal portion includes a first posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending rearward, the right back top seal portion includes a second posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending rearward, the first posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with an upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion, and the second posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with an upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion.

In the pouch according to another form, the left front top seal portion includes a first anterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending frontward, the right front top seal portion includes a second anterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending frontward, the first anterior gas enclosing portion communicates with the first side gas enclosing portion and the first posterior gas enclosing portion at the upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion, and the second anterior gas enclosing portion communicates with the second side gas enclosing portion and the second posterior gas enclosing portion at the upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion.

In the pouch according to another form, the posterior back top seal portion includes a third posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas, and the third posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with the first posterior gas enclosing portion and the second posterior gas enclosing portion, and the spout is surrounded from a rearward side by the first posterior gas enclosing portion, the third posterior gas enclosing portion, and the second posterior gas enclosing portion.

In the pouch according to another form, the top sheet is inclined toward an anterior side, and the spout is inclined toward the anterior side.

In the pouch according to another form, the left side seal portion and the right side seal portion are provided extending to lower vicinity regions of side portions of the packaging bag.

In the pouch according to another form, given a virtual line connecting a fold between the left front top seal portion and the left back top seal portion and a fold between the right front top seal portion and the right back top seal portion as a fold line, a distance from the fold line to the posterior back top seal portion is longer than a distance from the fold line to the anterior front top seal portion.

In the pouch according to another form, the anterior front top seal portion includes a first anterior front top extending seal portion positioned rearward of a central portion in an anterior region of the left front top seal portion, and a second anterior front top extending seal portion positioned rearward of the central portion in an anterior region of the right front top seal portion.

In the pouch according to another form, given a virtual line connecting a fold between the left front top seal portion and the left back top seal portion and a fold between the right front top seal portion and the right back top seal portion as a fold line, the spout is provided rearward of the fold line.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to this disclosure, it is possible to increase rigidity of a pouch when a spout is provided on a top sheet of the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from a front side of a pouch according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a back side of the pouch according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view from the front side of the pouch before introducing a gas into gas enclosing portions according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pouch before sealing the gas enclosing portions according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from a front side of a pouch according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view from the front side of the pouch before introducing a gas into gas enclosing portions according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from a front side of a pouch according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from a front side of a pouch according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from a front side of a pouch according to a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A pouch according to embodiments based on the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. When numbers, amounts, and the like are mentioned in the embodiments described below, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to those numbers, amounts, and the like, unless specifically stated. Further, like parts and corresponding parts will be denoted by like reference symbols and redundant descriptions may not be repeated. Also, the use of the configurations in the embodiments in appropriate combinations is intended from the beginning.

In the descriptions made with reference to the drawings, a side on which a spout 200 is provided is referred to as “front”, and a side opposite thereto is referred to as “back”. Further, in the drawings, left is referred to as “left side”, and right is referred to as “right side”. Thus, the left and right as viewed from the pouch are opposite to the left and right of the drawings. A width direction refers to a left-right direction in the drawings, and a height direction refers to a vertical direction in the drawings.

Contents are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a beverage such as a sports drink, a food product such as ice cream or jelly, daily commodities such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, detergent, or softener, or a medicinal product.

First Embodiment: Pouch 1

The configuration of a pouch 1 according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view from a front side of the pouch 1, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a back side of the pouch 1.

The pouch 1 includes a packaging bag 100 configured to accommodate contents and including a front sheet 101, a back sheet 102, a bottom sheet 103, and a top sheet 110. The spout 200 for dispensing the contents from the packaging bag 100 is fixed to the top sheet 110. Note that a cap 210 for closing an outlet is attached to an outer periphery of the spout 200.

The front sheet 101, the back sheet 102, the bottom sheet 103, and the top sheet 110 are constituted by a layered body containing, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

The packaging bag 100 is formed by joining end portions of the front sheet 101 and end portions of the back sheet 102 in the width direction, and includes left side seal portions 104, 106, and right side seal portions 105, 107, each having an elongated shape in the height direction.

The packaging bag 100 includes a front bottom seal portion 108 formed by joining the front sheet 101 and the bottom sheet 103, a back bottom seal portion 109 formed by joining the back sheet 102 and the bottom sheet 103, an anterior front top seal portion 111, left front top seal portions 114, 116 and right front top seal portions 115, 117, which are formed by joining the front sheet 101 and the top sheet 110, and posterior back top seal portions 122, 123, left back top seal portions 118, 120, and right back top seal portions 119, 121, which are formed by joining the back sheet 102 and the top sheet 110.

The left side seal portions 104, 106 include a first side gas enclosing portion 131 enclosing a gas (air, for example; the same below) and having an elongated shape in the height direction, and the right side seal portions 105, 107 include a second side gas enclosing portion 132 enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in the height direction.

The left front top seal portions 114, 116 include a first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 enclosing a gas and extending frontward, and the right front top seal portions 115, 117 include a second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 enclosing a gas and extending frontward. A first anterior front top extending seal portion 111 a formed by extension of the anterior front top seal portion 111 is provided on an anterior surface side of the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133, and a second anterior front top extending seal portion 111 b formed by extension of the anterior front top seal portion 111 is provided on an anterior surface side of the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134. While the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 are provided extending frontward, the anterior front top seal portion 111 is only sealed and no gas is enclosed.

The left back top seal portions 118, 120 include a first posterior gas enclosing portion 135 enclosing a gas and extending rearward, and the right back top seal portions 119, 121 include a second posterior gas enclosing portion 136 enclosing a gas and extending rearward.

The posterior back top seal portions 122, 123 include a third posterior gas enclosing portion 137 enclosing a gas. The third posterior gas enclosing portion 137 communicates with the first posterior gas enclosing portion 135 and the second posterior gas enclosing portion 136, thereby constituting a single continuous gas enclosing portion. As a result, the spout 200 is surrounded from the rearward side by the first posterior gas enclosing portion 135, the third posterior gas enclosing portion 137, and the second posterior gas enclosing portion 136. Furthermore, with the spout 200 being surrounded from the rearward side, the spout 200 can be stabilized when the contents are dispensed.

The first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the first posterior gas enclosing portion 135 communicate with each other at an upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion 131, and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 and the second posterior gas enclosing portion 136 communicate with each other at an upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion 132. Further, the first side gas enclosing portion 131 and the first posterior gas enclosing portion 135 communicate with each other, and the second side gas enclosing portion 132 and the second posterior gas enclosing portion 136 communicate with each other.

As the method of joining the sheets constituting the packaging bag 100 and portions fixing the spout 200 to the packaging bag 100, various known methods may be used, with examples including a fusing method such as heat sealing, ultrasonic wave sealing, and high frequency sealing, and an adhesion method using an adhesive.

With the gas enclosing portions enclosing a gas (air, for example) in each seal portion being provided as described above, each seal portion has a function of increasing bending rigidity. The gas enclosing portion has a constant width in the drawings, but may vary in width as necessary. For example, the width may gradually increase from a lower side to an upper side, or may gradually decrease from the lower side to the upper side.

Next, the form of the pouch 1 before introducing a gas into each gas enclosing portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 . FIG. 3 is a plan view from the front side of the pouch 1 before introducing a gas into the gas enclosing portions, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pouch 1 before sealing each gas enclosing portion.

In the present embodiment, given a virtual line connecting a fold between the left front top seal portions 114, 116 and the left back top seal portions 118, 120 and a fold between the right front top seal portions 115, 117 and the right back top seal portions 119, 121 as a fold line S1 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ), the spout 200 is preferably provided rearward of the fold line S1.

Given a distance from the fold line S1 to the anterior front top seal portion 111 as a distance L1 and a distance from the fold line S1 to the posterior back top seal portion 122 as a distance L2, making the distance L2 longer than the distance L1 causes the top sheet 110 to more readily incline. Furthermore, although the top sheet 110 is inclined, which lowers the anterior side, providing the spout 200 on the posterior side makes it is possible to position the spout 200 higher and thus increase an amount of the contents in the packaging bag 100.

Further, the anterior front top seal portion 111 includes the first anterior front top extending seal portion 111 a positioned rearward of a central portion in an anterior region of the left front top seal portions 114, 116, and includes the second anterior front top extending seal portion 111 b positioned rearward of the central portion in an anterior region of the right front top seal portions 115, 117. For example, given a distance from the fold line S1 to the first anterior front top extending seal portion 111 a and the second anterior front top extending seal portion 111 b as a distance L3, the distance L3 is configured to be shorter than the distance L1. With this configuration, the distance to which the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 extend frontward shortens. As a result, when the top sheet 110 is inclined, resistance generated by the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 in a direction in which the top sheet 110 is not inclined is smaller. Thus, the top sheet 110 can be further inclined.

A gas introduction port 141 for feeding a gas (air) into each of the gas enclosing portions is provided in communication with the third posterior gas enclosing portion 137, rearward of the spout 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , when a gas (air) is fed from the gas introduction port 141 to each of the gas enclosing portions, each gas enclosing portion expands and the rigidity of the packaging bag 100 increases. Subsequently, a base portion (region indicated by M in the drawing) of the gas introduction port 141 is sealed, completing the third posterior gas enclosing portion 137 and completing the enclosure of a gas in each gas enclosing portion.

Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the position of the gas introduction port 141 may be on a top surface, or may be on a body portion or a bottom surface. The gas may be enclosed in the gas enclosing portion by feeding the gas from the gas introduction port between two films as in FIG. 4 , or by providing a hole in a portion of the gas enclosing portion, blowing in the gas through the hole and, once enclosure is completed, closing the hole.

In this case, preferably, in a lower region of the packaging bag 100, a notch portion 151 cut inward is provided in a region below the left side seal portions 104, 106 and, similarly, a notch portion 152 cut inward is provided in a region below the right side seal portions 105, 107. As a result, the gas enclosing portions (first side gas enclosing portion 131 and second side gas enclosing portion 132) curve toward the anterior surface side, making the packaging bag 100 easier to hold. Note that, instead of the notch portion, a slit may be provided.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first posterior gas enclosing portion 135, the third posterior gas enclosing portion 137, and the second posterior gas enclosing portion 136 are provided surrounding a rear side of the spout 200. Furthermore, the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the first posterior gas enclosing portion 135 communicate with each other at the upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion 131, and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 and the second posterior gas enclosing portion 136 communicate with each other at the upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion 132.

That is, at positions on the left and right of the spout 200 (at positions of shoulders of the packaging bag 100), the gas enclosing portions in communication with each other are formed extending in the three directions (branching into three portions) of frontward, downward, and rearward. This increases the rigidity for maintaining the external shape of the packaging bag 100 and thus, when the contents are dispensed from the spout 200, the spout 200 is free of wobbling even when the packaging bag 100 is tilted, making it easy to stably dispense the contents from the spout.

Further, because the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 are provided extending frontward, the anterior front top seal portion 111 protrudes frontward, making it possible to provide the top sheet 110 with inclination.

In the present embodiment, while the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 are provided extending frontward, the anterior front top seal portion 111 does not enclose a gas. According to this configuration, the top sheet 110 is urged to incline toward the anterior side, and thus the spout 200 also inclines toward the anterior side following the inclination of this top sheet 110. With this form, the contents can be dispensed more easily from the spout 200. Note that an inclination angle of the top sheet 110 can be set to any inclination angle.

Further, when the pouch 1 is displayed, displaying the side with the spout 200 as the back surface and the back sheet 102 side as the front surface (state illustrated in FIG. 2 being a display state) means that the upright back sheet is visible to a customer. Printing a design indicating product contents or the like on the back sheet 102 expands the display area and can draw the attention of a consumer.

Second Embodiment: Pouch 1A

The configuration of a pouch 1A according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 . FIG. 5 is a perspective view from a front side of the pouch 1A, and FIG. 6 is a plan view from the front side of the pouch 1A before introducing a gas into the gas enclosing portions.

The basic configuration of the pouch 1A in the present embodiment is the same as that of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above. The difference is that, in the pouch 1A, the spout 200 is provided on the fold line S1. This allows the spout 200 to be positioned further frontward than in the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above, and thus the contents can be dispensed more easily. The other effects are the same as those of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above.

Third Embodiment: Pouch 1B

The configuration of a pouch 1B according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a perspective view from a front side of the pouch 1B.

The basic configuration of the pouch 1B in the present embodiment is the same as that of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above. The difference is that, in the pouch 1, in a lower region of the packaging bag 100, the notch portion 151 cut inward is provided in the region below the left side seal portions 104, 106 and, similarly, the notch portion 152 cut inward is provided in the region below the right side seal portions 105, 107, whereas, in the pouch 1B of the present embodiment, the notch portion 151 and the notch portion 152 are not provided, and the left side seal portions 104, 106 and the right side seal portions 105, 107 are provided extending to the bottom edge. According to this configuration, sealability in the lower region of the packaging bag 100 can be further improved. The other effects are the same as those of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above.

Fourth Embodiment: Pouch 1C

The configuration of a pouch 1C according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 is a perspective view from a front side of the pouch 1C.

The basic configuration of the pouch 1C in the present embodiment is the same as that of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above. The difference is that, in the case of the pouch 1C, the first side gas enclosing portion 131 and the second side gas enclosing portion 132 do not extend to a bottom edge region of the packaging bag 100 and, when viewed in the height direction of the packaging bag 100, stop at a position higher than half of the height of the packaging bag 100 [(H1)/2≤H2]. Further, the third posterior gas enclosing portion 137 is not provided.

According to this configuration, the rigidity of both shoulder portions of the packaging bag 100 is increased by the gas enclosing portions. As a result, this configuration is suitable when only increasing the rigidity around the spout 200 is sufficient. For example, this configuration is suitable in a case in which the volume of the contents is small. The other effects are the same as those of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above.

Fifth Embodiment: Pouch 1D

The configuration of a pouch 1D according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a perspective view from a front side of the pouch 1D.

The basic configuration of the pouch 1D in the present embodiment is the same as that of the pouch 1C in the third embodiment described above. The difference is that, in the case of the pouch 1D, the first anterior gas enclosing portion 133 and the second anterior gas enclosing portion 134 are not provided.

According to this configuration, the rigidity of both shoulder portions of the packaging bag 100 is increased by the gas enclosing portions. As a result, this configuration is suitable when only increasing the rigidity around the spout 200 is sufficient. For example, this configuration is suitable in a case in which the volume of the contents is small. The other effects are the same as those of the pouch 1 in the first embodiment described above.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of the pouch in each of the embodiments described above, the amount of resin used can be significantly reduced as compared to a container made of molded resin. Further, after use, the gas can be removed from the gas enclosing portions, and then the pouch can be folded compactly to a smaller volume before being discarded.

Although the pouch in the form of a packaging body of the present disclosure has been described in each embodiment above, the embodiments disclosed herein should be construed in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and meanings equivalent to those of the claims and all modifications made within the claims are also included.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Pouch     -   100 Packaging bag     -   101 Front sheet     -   102 Back sheet     -   103 Bottom sheet     -   104, 106 Left side seal portion     -   105, 107 Right side seal portion     -   108 Front bottom seal portion     -   109 Back bottom seal portion     -   110 Top sheet     -   111 Anterior front top seal portion     -   111 a First anterior front top extending seal portion     -   111 b Second anterior front top extending seal portion     -   114, 116 Left front top seal portion     -   115, 117 Right front top seal portion     -   118, 120 Left back top seal portion     -   119, 121 Right back top seal portion     -   122, 123 Posterior back top seal portion     -   131 First side gas enclosing portion     -   132 Second side gas enclosing portion     -   133 First anterior gas enclosing portion     -   134 Second anterior gas enclosing portion     -   135 First posterior gas enclosing portion     -   136 Second posterior gas enclosing portion     -   137 Third posterior gas enclosing portion     -   141 Gas introduction port     -   151, 152 Notch portion     -   200 Spout     -   210 Cap 

1. A pouch comprising: (a) a packaging bag including a front sheet, a back sheet, and a top sheet and configured to accommodate contents; and (b) a spout fixed to the top sheet and configured to dispense the contents from the packaging bag, (c) wherein the packaging bag includes (i) a left side seal portion and a right side seal portion formed by joining end portions of the front sheet and end portions of the back sheet in a width direction, each having an elongated shape in a height direction, (ii) an anterior front top seal portion, a left front top seal portion, and a right front top seal portion formed by joining the front sheet and the top sheet, and (iii) a posterior back top seal portion, a left back top seal portion, and a right back top seal portion formed by joining the back sheet and the top sheet, (iv) the left side seal portion includes a first side gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in the height direction, (v) the right side seal portion includes a second side gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and having an elongated shape in the height direction, (vi) the left back top seal portion includes a first posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending rearward, (vii) the right back top seal portion includes a second posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending rearward, (viii) the first posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with an upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion, and (ix) the second posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with an upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion.
 2. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the left front top seal portion includes a first anterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending frontward, the right front top seal portion includes a second anterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas and extending frontward, the first anterior gas enclosing portion communicates with the first side gas enclosing portion and the first posterior gas enclosing portion at the upper end of the first side gas enclosing portion, and the second anterior gas enclosing portion communicates with the second side gas enclosing portion and the second posterior gas enclosing portion at the upper end of the second side gas enclosing portion.
 3. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the posterior back top seal portion includes a third posterior gas enclosing portion enclosing a gas, and the third posterior gas enclosing portion communicates with the first posterior gas enclosing portion and the second posterior gas enclosing portion, and the spout is surrounded from a rearward side by the first posterior gas enclosing portion, the third posterior gas enclosing portion, and the second posterior gas enclosing portion.
 4. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet is inclined toward an anterior side, and the spout is inclined toward the anterior side.
 5. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the left side seal portion and the right side seal portion are provided extending to lower vicinity regions of side portions of the packaging bag.
 6. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein given a virtual line connecting a fold between the left front top seal portion and the left back top seal portion and a fold between the right front top seal portion and the right back top seal portion as a fold line, a distance from the fold line to the posterior back top seal portion is longer than a distance from the fold line to the anterior front top seal portion.
 7. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the anterior front top seal portion includes a first anterior front top extending seal portion positioned rearward of a central portion in an anterior region of the left front top seal portion, and a second anterior front top extending seal portion positioned rearward of the central portion in an anterior region of the right front top seal portion.
 8. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein given a virtual line connecting a fold between the left front top seal portion and the left back top seal portion and a fold between the right front top seal portion and the right back top seal portion as a fold line, the spout is provided rearward of the fold line. 